What do you get when you combine a quintuplet of New Wave and indie rock with two tigers of electronic music? While the answers might be mixed, the general idea is uplifting beats that one can’t help but dance to, provided by two cherished El Paso groups: The D.A. and Bulletproof Tiger. More importantly, this melodic combination is having their first summer tour together, unofficially titled “Suk’n & Fuk’n 2012”…or “Bulletproof Tiger and The D.A. Summer Tour”, depending on which band member you talk to.

The fact that these two groups are so different from one another is what makes this tour, which kicks off at The Lowbrow Palace, so musically appropriate. On one side, you have the coy trumpet/hip guitar-and-keyboard fusion that is the D.A. while on the other, you have a a sensual-synthesizer/heavy-guitar duo masked in plastic tiger faces. But what these two bands have in common besides talent is that you will never see a bare dance floor when they play. Whether it’s to the electronic thumps of the tiger twins or the jubilant drumming of the eclectic quintet, both group’s music inevitably evoke the dancer in a concertgoer. But how did this combination come to be?

“We have been friends with The D.A. for years and have shared the stage before, but this is the first time we really got together on a big project like this tour,” said Bobby Miracles, guitarist of Bulletproof Tiger. “Me and Evan [Tremper] have been friends for almost ten years now. His first band in high school used to play shows with my first band in high school, so this reunion is a very nostalgic experience for the both of us.”

Evan Tremper plays drums for the D.A., which also comprises of Tyler Dudley on vocals, bass and guitar, Steve Escarzaga on the same, Cesar Muniz on keyboards and vocals and Michael Frisbee on trumpet, keyboards and vocals. The fantastic five has played alongside acclaimed indie bands and artists such as Foster the People, Yelle and Sparta. Going strong for around five years, The D.A.’s sound is influenced by music from ’80s essentials including Talking Heads and Michael Jackson. As far as what the letters D and A stand for…

“It used to stand for something, but we’re trying to forget that that ever happened and it just basically stands for whatever we come up with at that moment,” said Dudley. “Let’s say for now it’s Delinquent Adults.”

Regardless of what D.A. stands for, the group has accumulated a large fan base over the years, not just in El Paso, but across the Southwest. This tour will make it the third time they’ve played in California this year.

Bulletproof Tiger has its share of a large following as well. With Miracles and Jean-Luc Duvalier on the keys/synth, the harmonious felines have played for Austin’s SXSW, the Neon Desert Music Festival and the Sun City Music Festival alongside artists and groups such as Steve Aoki and Miami Horror. Their tiger getups might attract onlookers, but its their catchy, dance-inducing beats that keep crowds coming back for more. Formed in early 2010 by two musicians who’ve known each other since high school, Bulletproof Tiger’s future looks both promising and inspiring for local aspiring DJs.

“There is history being made as we speak in the El Paso music scene,” said Miracles. “Venues have been opening, big music festivals are being born and people are starting to show more love and support to local musicians. There is a beautiful ‘awakening’ happening in this city and we are more than excited and honored to be a part of this with all our friends.”

The D.A. and Bulletproof Tiger will tour the Southwest, hitting places such as LA’s Lot 1 Cafe and Las Vegas’ Beauty Bar. Dudley says he’s looking forward to touring with the electronic duo and sharing The D.A.’s “Jean-Claude Ram Van”(their Dodge Ram Van) with them, not only because the groups work well together, but because of the escape that music gives him as well.

“Whatever problems you’re having that day or that week or that month or that year, you’re not thinking about that through that 45 minutes or hour that you’re playing,” said Dudley.

The D.A. has persuaded the Brooklyn band, Friends, to play in El Paso between their Phoenix and Austin performances. Look for the two group’s collaboration in early July by following The D.A. or Friends.

Bulletproof Tiger will be playing the Chiwazon Music & Arts Festival, held in Chihuahua, Mexico on July 21. More information on their upcoming performances can be found on their Facebook, facebook.com/BulletproofTiger915.

-Victoria G. Molinar

The D.A./Bulletproof Tiger tour dates:

Wednesday, June 20 – The Lowbrow Palace – El Paso, TX

Thursday, June 21 – Club Congress – Tucson, AZ

Friday, June 22 – Tonic Tavern & Kitchen – Chandler, AZ

Saturday, June 23 – The Stage – San Diego, CA

Sunday, June 24 – Lot 1 Cafe – Los Angeles, CA

Tuesday, June 26 – Vitus – Oakland, CA

Wednesday, June 27 – Central Social Aid & Pleasure Club (Central SAPC) – Santa Monica, CA

Thursday, June 28 – Beauty Bar – Las Vegas, NV

Friday, June 29 – Mia’s Lounge – Flagstaff, AZ